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something to please all three of them, at a comfortable midpoint, if possible, between her office and his, yet close enough to Karen's friends so she wouldn't feel completely uprooted.
    A few times, coming home from her office and riding up in an elevator full of strangers, Gail had the sense that she had stumbled into the wrong building. The feeling was not always dispelled when she opened the door to an apartment filled with sleek modern furniture and rugs she would never have chosen for herself. More than once she had heard a key in a lock and had seen a tall, dark-haired man coming in, and for just an instant wondered what he was doing there. But he would smile at her and drop his briefcase onto the sofa, and pull her into his arms. That moment promised all she could want of home.
    They had met four years ago and battled their way through a relationship that neither could have predicted. But here they were. Gail trusted that it would last. What she wanted now more than anything was to feel the days gradually settle into a solid and predictable routine.
    On her way into the bedroom she heard Anthony talking on the phone. He wasn't shouting, but he was getting close. Gail paused, unsure whether to interrupt.
    "Go put a note on his door." Anthony pointed as if the other person were standing in front of him. "Dile que me llame. I don't give a damn what time he gets in, he must call. Otherwise, I will have him on a plane back to his mother." He paced beside the bed in his silk bathrobe, the phone to his ear. "No, mi niña, I'm not angry with you, I promise. We'll see you in the morning. Sleep well. Duérmete bien. " He hung up and let out a breath.
    Gail said, "Who was that, Angela? Is everything all right?"
    Anthony made a dismissive wave. "Her brother went out with his cousins after the party. She thinks he went to South Beach. He isn't answering his cell phone. If he oversleeps in the morning, he can stay here. I don't give a shit what he does."
    "Oh, come on. He's only sixteen."
    "What kind of excuse is that? He's irresponsible and inconsiderate. I can see it now, chasing him down all over Havana."
    "What's the matter with you tonight? Would you please stop yelling at me?"
    Anthony lightly touched his temples before dropping his hands and fixing his dark eyes on her. "Forgive me." He leaned over and kissed her cheek, then patted it. "Perdóname, mi amor. I'm tired. Come to bed. Did you finish packing?"
    "Not yet. I was saying good night to Karen."
    "Honey, I told you, in Havana they dress like we do here. Casual clothes, but be a little conservative. Take a couple of dresses, if we go out at night. Not your best ones. How hard is that?"
    "I don't want people to stare at me and say, 'Oh, look, a tourist.' "
    "There are blondes in Cuba. There is every color in the world."
    "There's no way I can pass for a Cuban."
    "I didn't say you should. No, I like what you are, an American."
    "It's funny when you call me that, 'an American,' as if I'm from another country."
    He smiled. "In Miami, you are."
    "Is that why you married me? Because I'm exotic?"
    "Sexy and exotic. My friends are jealous."
    "I'll bet. Skinny me. Your ... girafa linda! You're the only one I'd let call me that, a pretty giraffe." She slid her hands up the satin lapels of his robe.
    He took her hand and kissed it, then focused on her rings. "Leave your engagement ring here. And wear a plain watch."
    "I know, you told me already. Anthony, why did your grandfather want to talk to you tonight? Hector was stationed outside his office like a palace guard and wouldn't let me in."
    "Yes, he said you were looking for me." As Anthony walked away he removed his link bracelet. His gold watch was already lying on his dresser next to a leather jewelry case. He slid off his rings. Black jade ring into the case. Platinum and diamond next to it. Leaving the wedding band on. Tapping his fingers on top of the dresser.
    Gail wondered how long it would take before he thought of